Jazmine Sullivan Talks Adele And How The Music Industry Values White Soul Singers

There have been many discussions within entertainment on ‘blue eyed soul singers’ receiving acknowledgements over black artists within the music industry.

Most recently R&B star Tank suggested on social media that two categories; R&B Soul and POP R&B, would allow more opportunity to credit more talent. Last year in an interview with us, speaking on blue-eyed soul singers, he expressed that opportunities are different, saying “it’s made to look like maybe its being done better, but it’s not the case.”

It was just last week that R&B reality star K.Michelle said, when asked on Adele, at a recent Q&A said:

Now it’s Jazmine Sullivan‘s turn, who recently sat down with AP for an interview, the discussion lead onto how white acts Adele, Sam Smith, Justin Timberlake & co. are being credited in the soul music category. As those white performer dominate those soul categories the value of some of our black soul singers are looked over.

“I guess I’m glad that people are recognizing me in some way, and kind of see there’s a little injustice in how black soul artists are received,” Sullivan said in a recent interview. “But, at the same time, I try not to focus so much on the negativity.”

Sullivan feels supported — on tour, on Twitter and beyond — by her fans. “I think it’s just a matter of making myself known to more people. I think it’s about spreading Jazmine Sullivan’s brand, I guess, to more people,” she said. She keeps an “attitude of appreciation,” happy to be able to do what she loves. And while the people who listen to her “may not be as many people (who) listen to Adele. there are people who are listening. There are people who appreciate me. There are people who love my music.”

Those “people” include the Recording Academy. The collective nominated Sullivan’s 2015 release, “Reality Show,” for three awards, including best R&B album. Her single “Let It Burn” earned nods for best R&B song and best traditional R&B performance, where her competition includes Faith Evan’s “He Is,” a song Sullivan co-wrote.